Youth News

Introducing the Northwest District's Star in Production Ag Lane Fanning of the Laverne FFA Chapter

Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:13:07 CDT

During the month of April, the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and Oklahoma Farm Report is spotlighting the twenty District Stars of Oklahoma FFA that are among the highest achievers in the organization. The stars come from the five districts in four categories- Star in Ag Placement, Star in Agriscience, Star in Agribusiness and Star in Production Agriculture. Last week, we spotlighted the five district stars in Agribusiness- this week we move on to the Production Agriculture Stars for 2017.

Today we would like to introduce you to Laverne FFA’s Lane Fanning, Northwest District Star in Production Agriculture. Fanning, in cooperation with his sister and brother, owns and operates a stocker operation. Fanning maximizes his profitability through buying and selling load lots at the local sale barn.

“We had a $45,000 beginning inventory when we came into my freshman year,” Fanning said. “We buy the cattle from a sale barn, we feed them, we vaccinate them; we keep them for about 100 days, then we sell them.”

Stockers are often thought to be a fairly high-risk venture, yet Fanning and his siblings seem to have made their operation successful and profitable. He says the key to his success has centered around maintaining the health of his herd.

“The health of the animal is very important to profitability,” he said. “We vaccinate them when we get them. When they get sick we give them antibiotics - we keep a close watch on them.”

When it comes to marketing their livestock, Fanning says he relies on his good relationship with the Woodward Sale Barn owner, to find the right buyers on sale day.

You can hear his entire conversation with Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Farm Director Ron Hays, by clicking or tapping on the LISTEN BAR below.

Our salute of the 2017 District Stars of the Oklahoma FFA is brought to you by American Farmers & Ranchers, proud to support Oklahoma’s youth. Visit the AFR website by clicking or tapping here to learn more on how AFR supports the young people of Oklahoma, and how AFR can provide you with quality insurance for your home, auto, farm, and life.

You can hear his entire conversation with Farm Director Ron Hays by clicking the LISTEN BAR below